Belgium Travel Thread

[LukeAleTime]

If by some miracle I make it there tomorrow, I'm all over it. Saw the taster in person for the first time last night and I want it so badly.

Try get into the barrel room for a taste of the barrels.

 

[Snarf1]

Try get into the barrel room for a taste of the barrels.

Sadly no, but had a very good time at Grote Dorst instead.

 

[mrk_d]

Looks like I'll be heading to Copenhagen ~September 5th to 12th, so if anyone wants to meet up to split bottles at Mikkeller or Akkurat during that timeframe let's line something up!

Also, no I do not know why I posted this in the Belgium thread.

 

[HenrikO]

Looks like I'll be heading to Copenhagen ~September 5th to 12th, so if anyone wants to meet up to split bottles at Mikkeller or Akkurat during that timeframe let's line something up!

Will you be taking a trip from Copenhagen to Stockholm? I'll be away for part of that time but might drag my ass to Stockholm and Akkurat if I can organize it.

 

[mrk_d]

Will you be taking a trip from Copenhagen to Stockholm? I'll be away for part of that time but might drag my ass to Stockholm and Akkurat if I can organize it.

Yeah, the plan is to take a quick 1- or 2-day trip to Stockholm essentially to go to Akkurat (and see the city). Let me know if any dates in particular look good for you, and I'll do my best to make it there then!

 

[BrandoSF]

I'm going to be in Brussels next month. I'll be hitting the more obvious spots, but I was wondering if anyone has any reccomendations for food, or other cool things to do other than search for/drink lambic? Also looking for advice on trying to set up an IP trade or two. Basically any tips for a first timer. Thanks

 

[Odesseiron]

Yeah, the plan is to take a quick 1- or 2-day trip to Stockholm essentially to go to Akkurat (and see the city). Let me know if any dates in particular look good for you, and I'll do my best to make it there then!

My friends and I are flying over to Akkurat for Zwanze Day. Would love to share some bottles if you're in the hood. Same goes for HenrikO, of course.

 

[HenrikO]

My friends and I are flying over to Akkurat for Zwanze Day. Would love to share some bottles if you're in the hood. Same goes for HenrikO, of course.

I'm planning to attend Zwanze at Akkurat in September but no finalized plans yet - I'm away from the family a lot in Sep and something's gotta give (working to make it not Zwanze)...

 

[Odesseiron]

I'm planning to attend Zwanze at Akkurat in September but no finalized plans yet - I'm away from the family a lot in Sep and something's gotta give (working to make it not Zwanze)...

I completely understand. Do the right thing, and if Zwanze fits, let's crack some bottles

 

[axeman91821]

Gotta comb back through this thread, planning on going to Belgium for a week in the fall. Don't know when (gotta wait for dat Fou to be available), but figuring probably in October.

 

[matedog]

Heading to Belgium for a portion of my honeymoon. I was dying to go to De Heeren, but per the website, it looks like they are closed October 12 through November 4 ("Our annual closing will be from 12 October until 4 November"). We are in the area around October 18th-22nd. Someone please tell me I'm misreading the website: http://www.heerenvanliedekercke.be/en/ (on the bottom)

 

[flexabull]

Heading to Belgium for a portion of my honeymoon. I was dying to go to De Heeren, but per the website, it looks like they are closed October 12 through November 4 ("Our annual closing will be from 12 October until 4 November"). We are in the area around October 18th-22nd. Someone please tell me I'm misreading the website: http://www.heerenvanliedekercke.be/en/ (on the bottom)

Unfortunately, I think you are SOL.

 

[matedog]

Unfortunately, I think you are SOL.

Well ****.

How is Grote Dorst as a back up? I might be able to swing by on a specific Sunday. I was mostly looking for a place with on site vintage lambic. I'll likely only be going to Brussels and Bruges, so if there are other suggestions, they'd have to be closer to those areas.

 

[KeKeKumba]

Well that's unfortunate. I'll also be there the 16-23rd of October.

 

[flexabull]

Well ****.

How is Grote Dorst as a back up? I might be able to swing by on a specific Sunday. I was mostly looking for a place with on site vintage lambic. I'll likely only be going to Brussels and Bruges, so if there are other suggestions, they'd have to be closer to those areas.

My trip through Belgium last fall got derailed a bit due to a nasty stomach bug that swept through all us while we were there. I never made it to Grote Dorst or De Heeren.

I was staying in Bruges the whole time, and made it to a few places there. And I was able to drag my wife on a day trip to Brussels for Cantillon. One tip I would give you, take the train to Brussels, it was so much easier than driving. Holy **** that city has bad traffic.

 

[LukeAleTime]

Well ****.

How is Grote Dorst as a back up? I might be able to swing by on a specific Sunday. I was mostly looking for a place with on site vintage lambic. I'll likely only be going to Brussels and Bruges, so if there are other suggestions, they'd have to be closer to those areas.

Rose Red in Bruges was a favourite of mine. Also the De Struise tasting room obvi.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Well ****.

How is Grote Dorst as a back up? I might be able to swing by on a specific Sunday. I was mostly looking for a place with on site vintage lambic. I'll likely only be going to Brussels and Bruges, so if there are other suggestions, they'd have to be closer to those areas.

I like Grote Dorst much more than I like DHvL. Not based on bottle list, but just based on atmosphere and the locals who go there. Yves and his brother are also really great hosts. GD is such an authentic experience whereas DHvL just doesn't carry that same feeling for me. Your trip certainly won't be ruined if you miss out on bottles DHvL, and you'll get to try some really good stuff at Grote Dorst even if it's not "rare" or "vintage".

 

[buzzword]

downstairs bar @ delirium in Brussels - order at the bar, drink at the bar, tip well and chat with the bartenders. had a fantastic experience there!

 

[Snarf1]

Well ****.

How is Grote Dorst as a back up? I might be able to swing by on a specific Sunday. I was mostly looking for a place with on site vintage lambic. I'll likely only be going to Brussels and Bruges, so if there are other suggestions, they'd have to be closer to those areas.

Meh, it's just one of the World's best bars.

 

[DubNation0511]

Hey guys,
I have a quick question. I'm headed to Cantillon tomorrow from London. Taking the train from St. Pancreas to Brussels. Am I aloud to bring bottles back to London or are they going to take the bottles from me at customs? I'm leaving at 8am tomorrow. Any info would help.
Thanks,
Greg

 

[MrKennedy1]

Hey guys,
I have a quick question. I'm headed to Cantillon tomorrow from London. Taking the train from St. Pancreas to Brussels. Am I aloud to bring bottles back to London or are they going to take the bottles from me at customs? I'm leaving at 8am tomorrow. Any info would help.
Thanks,
Greg

I've gone from Brussels to France on a train and don't recall there being customs at the destination. It was just like disembarking on a metropolitan Sydney train...walk straight out and there in the middle of the city

 

[matedog]

Hey guys,
I have a quick question. I'm headed to Cantillon tomorrow from London. Taking the train from St. Pancreas to Brussels. Am I aloud to bring bottles back to London or are they going to take the bottles from me at customs? I'm leaving at 8am tomorrow. Any info would help.
Thanks,
Greg

I did that a couple years ago. No issues bringing back bottles to London.

 

[Quatz]

I've gone from Brussels to France on a train and don't recall there being customs at the destination. It was just like disembarking on a metropolitan Sydney train...walk straight out and there in the middle of the city

Sorry for the late response but I lost track of this thread. The Eurostar (London to Brussels) is quite different from the Thalys (Paris to Brussels/Antwerp). The Thalys is like a regular train, only with assigned seating. The Eurostar requires you to go through customs as the UK is not a part of Schengen, while Belgium and France are. You shouldn't have any trouble bringing bottles on either but there is a big difference between both trains which might be important to know.

 

[DubNation0511]

Thanks for the responses guys. I went to Cantillon. It was heaven. I was able to bring back 7 bottles on the train in my backpack so it all worked out. I appreciate it.

 

[BusinessSloth]

Thanks for the responses guys. I went to Cantillon. It was heaven. I was able to bring back 7 bottles on the train in my backpack so it all worked out. I appreciate it.

Which bottles did you get?

 

[dimensionx]

degardebrewing Cantillon just has the basics for take away left. But Moder Lambic does have Kriek on cask. I'm so tired I can't ffel my face

 

[HenrikO]

degardebrewing Cantillon just has the basics for take away left. But Moder Lambic does have Kriek on cask. I'm so tired I can't ffel my face

Here's hoping that's just a labelling issue... (often they run out of labelled bottles and then stop selling those beers until they've had time to label more).

Moeder always har Kriek on tap?

Still great tho, just nitpicking.

 

[degardebrewing]

degardebrewing Cantillon just has the basics for take away left. But Moder Lambic does have Kriek on cask. I'm so tired I can't ffel my face

Soon...

 

[Digita7693]

degardebrewing Cantillon just has the basics for take away left. But Moder Lambic does have Kriek on cask. I'm so tired I can't ffel my face

are you in Belgium?

 

[dimensionx]

Portugal, but heading back to Brussels on the 15th. Hopefully joint you guys on the 16th if we canfigure out transport.